Wheelchair shelter

ABSTRACT

An accessory wheelchair shelter adapted to universally install onto the framework of an electric wheelchair. The wheelchair shelter of the present invention comprises: a frame structure having: a chair-attaching portion, a pair of vertical struts, and a canopy frame, a sheltering cover having: a canopy, a front-side curtain, and a rear curtain. The sheltering cover is adapted with strategic portions thereof made of a clear and resilient material thus allow satisfactory viewing area to the outside of said cover. Once assembled—by means of zippers along all mating edges—the wheelchair shelter of the present invention thereby provides protection against sun, snow, rain and the like thus allowing greater freedom, protection and comfort to persons utilizing said wheelchairs.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an accessory wheelchair shelter adaptedto universally install onto the framework of an electric wheelchair. Thewheelchair shelter of the present invention comprises: a frame structurehaving: a chair-attaching portion, a pair of vertical struts, and acanopy frame, a sheltering cover having: a canopy, a front-side curtain,and a rear curtain. The sheltering cover is adapted with strategicportions thereof made of a clear and resilient material thus allowsatisfactory viewing area to the outside of said cover. Onceassembled—by means of zippers along all mating edges—the wheelchairshelter of the present invention thereby provides protection againstsun, snow, rain and the like thus allowing greater freedom, protectionand comfort to persons utilizing said wheelchairs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Unlike conventional road vehicles, wheelchairs are and have been to datebare to the elements. The lack of such shelter has long preventedpersons utilizing wheelchairs from the freedom to travel outdoors whenconditions are less than desirable.

The inventor—also a wheelchair user—sought to provide the significantmass of like users, with a wheelchair shelter that is non-obtrusive,lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and especially protectivelyfunctional against the elements.

Thus the inventor presents your commissioner with a wheelchair shelterthat is indeed non-obtrusive, lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, andthat functionally protects users against the sun, snow, rain and thelike.

One attempt in prior art—in particular U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,553—teachesof a golf cart rain coat wherein the invention depicts a combinationgolf cart AND a rain coat for same. The invention fails to enable usersto adapt a similar arrangement to any existing electric wheelchair thusagain failing to satisfy the mandate of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide wheelchairusers with a wheelchair shelter that is non-obtrusive, lightweight,aesthetically pleasing, and especially protectively functional againstthe elements.

In one aspect of the invention, the shelter of the present invention isfabricated using materials protected against UV rays.

In another aspect of the invention, the canopy portion may incorporate aremovable cover over a clear roof window.

In a further aspect, the chair-attaching portion of the shelter of thepresent invention may be adapted to engage to a manual wheelchair.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an attached trailing wagon—alsosheltered—may be provided to further enhance the freedom benefits.

Accordingly, the shelter of the present invention therefore provideswheelchair users with a shelter that is non-obtrusive, lightweight,aesthetically pleasing, and protectively functional against theelements.

Although the preferred embodiment illustrates the use of the presentshelter in conjunction with wheelchairs, the utility of the presentinvention includes but is not limited to such wheelchairs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following brief description and upon referring to thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of the wheelchair shelter of thepresent invention as installed onto a conventional electric wheelchair.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above of the frame structure of thewheelchair shelter of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 of thewheelchair shelter of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the front/side curtain portion ofthe wheelchair shelter of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the rear curtain of the wheelchairshelter of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the rear curtain of thewheelchair shelter of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above of the sheltered trailing wagonof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the canopy of the trailing wagonof the present invention.

While the invention is described in conjunction with preferredillustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intendedto limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it isintended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as maybe included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have beengiven similar reference numerals.

Turning to FIG. 1, a perspective view from above of the wheelchairshelter of the present invention comprising; a frame structure having achair-attaching portion, a pair of vertical struts 4, and a canopyframe, a sheltering cover having: a canopy 6, a front-side curtain 8,and a rear curtain 10. The front-side curtain 8 is adapted with a dearand resilient front window 12 across a substantially panoramic areathereof allowing optimal viewing area to the outside through saidfront-side curtain 8. The base portion 14 of the front-side curtain 8 ismade of a durable flexible opaque material extending only near groundlevel. Both left and right termination panels 16 and 17 of thefront-side curtain 8 are adapted with zippers 20 at each verticalextremity, which mate with zippers 20 at the vertical extremities of therear curtain 10 thus securing the front-side curtain 8 and the rearcurtain 10 into a full perimeter shelter. For added viewing area,smaller flexible windows 21 are added to the left and right terminationpanels 16 and 17 of the front-side curtain 8. Similarly, corner windows22 are provided in the upper portion of the rear curtain 10.Furthermore, a ventilation screen 23—having a flip-up cover 27 on theoutside of the shelter—is provided to enable proper air passage throughthe shelter. Still referring to FIG. 1, the canopy portion 6, which issecurely yet removably attached to the canopy frame, is also adaptedwith a zippered lower perimeter where said zipper mates with a zipper 24at the very top edge of both the front-side curtain 8 and the rearcurtain 10 thus effectively suspending both now-combined curtains 8 and10 from the lower edge of the canopy portion 6.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a perspective view from above of the framestructure of the wheelchair shelter of the present invention wherein thestructure comprises; two vertical struts 4 joined together at the bottomby a horizontal member 3, a chair-attaching portion 2 having twohorizontal members near the lower-mid portion of each vertical strut 4extending frontwardly to engage with the wheelchair's structure forrigid securement thereto, a canopy frame 5 having two side members 9with a length substantially long enough to extend the canopy furtherthan the rearmost and frontmost usable areas a wheelchair and occupantmay occupy, and front and rear joiner members 11 and 13 attached to theside members 9 thereby forming a rectangular canopy frame 5 by which acanopy will be supported. Two diagonal struts 7 are provided to furtherrigidify the canopy frame 5 to the vertical struts 4.

FIG. 3, illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG.1 of the wheelchair shelter of the present invention wherein theperimeter framework 9 of the canopy frame 5 is adapted with a pluralityof male snap fasteners 25 a fixedly attached to the lower surface ofsaid framework 9 so as to align with mating female snap fasteners 25 battached to a continuous tab 26 within the inner upper portion of thecanopy 6. A short perimeter skirt 15 is also fixedly attached to theperimeter of the canopy 6, while a zipper 24, also fixedly attached to amid portion inside said skirt 15, provides means to suspend the curtains8-10. The lower portion of the skirt 15 extends below the zipper 24 thusforming a rain/snow shield 19 therewith.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a front elevation view of the front/side curtainportion of the wheelchair shelter of the present invention wherein ageneral pattern arrangement is depicted to include: a clear andresilient front window 12 across a substantially panoramic area thereofallowing optimal viewing area to the outside, a base portion 14 made ofa durable flexible opaque material, left and right termination panels 16and 17, smaller flexible windows 21, zippers 20 at each verticalextremity, and a top zipper 24.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a rear elevation view of the rear curtain 10 ofthe wheelchair shelter of the present invention wherein again a generalpattern arrangement is depicted to include: corner windows 22, aventilation screen 23—having a flip-up cover 27, zippers 20 at eachvertical extremity, and also a top zipper 24.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a partial perspective view of the rear curtain 10of the wheelchair shelter of the present invention, further illustratingthe rear ventilation screen 23—having a flip-up cover 27 located betweenthe two corner windows 22. The perimeter of the ventilation screen 23 isadapted with hook and pile fastener 28 so as to enable positive closureof said flip-up cover 27. Additionally, said cover 27 can be held in theopened position by simply joining the hook and pile fastener at anylevel along the height of said screen 23.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, FIG. 7 a perspective view from above of thesheltered trailing wagon, and FIG. 8 a partial perspective view of thecanopy of the trailing wagon of the present invention comprising; acommon wagon 30 adapted with leg supports 31 supporting a wagon canopystructure on which a wagon canopy 32 rests. The leg supports arecollapsible to various heights so as to allow the flexibility ofchoosing between high or low canopy heights. When the canopy 32 isarranged in a low height, and array of lower female snaps 36 can befastened to mating male snaps 37 thereby generally enclosing thecontents of the trailing wagon 30. Furthermore, a zippered access door33 is provided at the very top portion of said canopy 32. The zipper 34generally only travels in a U pattern, leaving the un-zipped portion toact as a hinge for the access door 33. Conversely, when the canopy 32 isarranged in higher position, the canopy's flaps 38 can be tuckedupwardly and held in such fashion by means of upper and lower male andfemale snaps 35 and 36.

Upon referring to the drawing figures and the above specification, itcan be understood that the present invention provides wheelchair userswith a shelter that is non-obtrusive, lightweight, aestheticallypleasing, and protectively functional against the elements. And with theaddition of the trailing wagon, the user can also transport animpressive amount of content, and perhaps even take a child for astroll!

1. A wheelchair shelter comprising: i. a wheelchair-attaching portionhaving a plurality of attaching points to said wheelchair for greaterstability, ii. a frame structure having a generally rectangular formwhen viewed from above, iii. a sheltering cover having a canopy, afront-side curtain and a rear curtain, and iv. fastening means to saidframe structure.
 2. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein pluralityof attaching points of said wheelchair-attaching portion providesgreater stability to the frame structure by means of secure attachmentsto at least four points onto the wheelchair frame work.
 3. Thewheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the frame structure furthercomprises: a pair of vertical struts extending upwardly from thewheelchair-attaching portion at the rear of said wheelchair and up to aheight comfortably greater than the top of a wheelchair users head thusproviding clearance during entry and exit of the wheelchair, a canopyframe, and a pair of diagonal braces firmly attached to each side memberof the canopy frame near the rear portion thereof and each upper portionof the vertical struts thus forming a triangular structurally rigidcombination.
 4. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the sheltercover is removably attached to the canopy frame's underside by means ofa flap integrally attached to the inner underside of said canopy andadapted with a plurality of mating snaps.
 5. The wheelchair shelter ofclaim 1 wherein the shelter cover is also adapted with a zipper fastenerat its lower perimeter so as to provide attachment of both a front-sidecurtain and a rear curtain.
 6. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 whereinthe shelter cover is adapted with a perimeter skirt integrally attachedto said canopy to the outside of the zipper fastener.
 7. The wheelchairshelter of claim 1 wherein the covering shelter is fabricated usingimpermeable materials and joinery methods.
 8. The wheelchair shelter ofclaim 1 wherein the front-side curtain of the sheltering cover has aclear and resilient front-side window across a substantially panoramicarea thereby allowing optimal viewing area to the outside through saidfront-side curtain.
 9. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein therear curtain of the sheltering cover is adapted with two corner windowsso as to provide substantial rear-viewing area therethrough.
 10. Thewheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the rear curtain of the shelteringcover is adapted with a ventilation screen at the rear upper portion ofsaid rear curtain thereby allowing air passage therethrough.
 11. Thewheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the rear curtain of the shelteringcover is adapted with zipper fasteners both at its very top edge to matewith a similar zipper fastener at the rear portion of the canopy, andtwo vertical zipper fasteners at each vertical extremity of said rearcurtain to mate with zipper fasteners of the vertical extremities of thefront-side curtain.